The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-07-14
THE HAND OF DESTINY.

The little brook rushed headlonR
over it's stony bed, the tall trees, with
;heir garlands ofmoss and wild grape
vines, bent lovingly over the noisy va
ters, while the audacious zephyr sad.
lily brushed the face of the girl who
lay upon the sloping green bank. She
was SO still that daring bird came
curiously near, and an adventure
some squirrel crept up slowly, his
bright eyes glanced from side to side,
seeming to regard with wonder the fig.
ure clad in the plain white gown.
Suddenly two little feet protruded
from the full skirt. and Wild a decided
Jump, and a shake of the dark curly
locks, Hazel THAR rose, and swinging
her broad garden hat by its string
started through the woods, when a
shrill whistle sounded. With mis-
chievous smile, the girl hastily threw
her hat on the grass, and Selling a low
hanging grape vine, swung herself by it
on to large branch, where she seat.
ed herself, quite hidden by the clinging
moss and thick leaves:
In a moment a boy with q crop 81
yellow hair, honest blue eyes and a
smiling mouth, and wearing a straw
hat carelessly ON the back OF his head,
came into sight. looking on either side
as he whistled.
"Hazel! HAZEL" he called, adding in
an undertone, ''Where is the girl?
Gone off to walk, believe, when PM
-Hullo" as a smothered laugh be-
trayed her. "Now say, Hazel, that's
too bad; joking, when you're going
away so soon. Come down and let's
have one jolly talk"
II was just thinking how lonely
should be, and how should miss you,
and these lovely woods, and the
brook, and-everyth thing" answered
the girl, as she came swinging down
on the 1.-the vine, dropping on the
grass beside her companion. "North.
ern girls will be shocked at my
romps, and no one will be as good
company as my old Bob, bless you,"
she continued. embracing the boy with
the untrammele.l freedom of child.
hood, for though nearly Is she had
never been taught conventionalities
or had her impulses restrained.
A slight color filled Rob Stevens
brown cheeks and he unclasped the
arms thrown round his neck and rails.
ed the curly head on his shoulder and
said seriously: "Hazel, dear, that is
well, l wanted to say something to
you, that very thing. We've been
friends a long time, haven't WEI" "Oi
course" and Hazel looked at him
wonderingly. "And, well-bother it
say,you won't forget me, will you, Ha.
Eel, and you know what you promised
me down by the old magnoliaf" IL
remember" she answered, II said I'd
never care for any one as much as you
and I'd wait until you were old
enough, and then we'd"- GAN right,
never mind saying it, if you'll remem.
Der and keep your promise; and say,
Hazel, you know girls don't usually
hug tho fellows, so be careful. P'raps
you'd better not any MORE" The
dark eyes opened wide and the sensi-
tive mouth quivered. mo, Bob,
won't; only thought as long as it
was only you it was no harm. I'll try
and remember"
They sat there by the cool stream,
until q clear bell warned them that
the evening meal was being prepared
in the big house, which could Just be
seen through the trees, and away they
scampered, hand in hand, up the long,
green slope.
Judge THAR was q wealthy planter
but also an educated gentleman, and
he realized the Importance of sending
his motherless daughter away to bet
ter schools than those in the "Sunny
South" The poor man tried to per-
form all the duties of mother and
father, but he was sadly deficient
sometimes, and felt himself 80 lately
as he saw his "baby" growing into 8
tall girl. He noticed her increasing
familiarity with Bob Stevens the sor
OF his nearest neighbor, and, indeed
the only white child for some miles
around, and not daring to put new
ideas into her mind, deemed it advis
able to place her in more experienced
hands. So early the following Mon
day a Northern aunt took Hazel tc
her home, and three weeks from the
day on which she babe Bob an affec
tionate farewell saw her fairly estab
lished in fashionable school,.
For while, to Hazel's wonderin.
eyes, everything seemed like fairy
tale, and being very susceptible, sh,
conceived VIOLENT attachments on al
sides; but her busy brain soon ven
to work, and she began to distinguish
between the false and true, and eot
over her first trial with the shallow
ness OF human nature with only {
slight heartache.
Rob wrote every week, telling her O
the things that interested her a
home, and at first she answered in he
old effectionate way, until tho girl
leased her about her devoted admirer
Then Rob noticed that her letter.
sounded forced, though still friendly
and missing the sisterly confidence, h
wondered, then longed to see her, ant
finally went north, in due time pre-
sented his card at the door of tn
boarding school. AS he stood in tn
long reception room, waiting for hi
old playmate to come, and wonderin,
if she would throw her arms abou1
his neck and kiss him as she used, h
saw tall, graceful figure, in lon,
gown OF clinging white stuff, with dus
ky hair gathered in a loose knot OF
the top of her head, and dark, starr,
eyes, standing at the door; he heard
| rustic OF sweeping skirts, then g. swee
voice, and Hazel cordially shoot
hands, assured him how glad she wa
to see him, and offered a chair, will
a pretty motion of one white hand
Self possessed and gracious, she mad
poor Rob feel ill at ease, and like sucl
a little boy, as he fingered the blu
felt hat he bought to please her, ant
answered her questions in monosyl
tables.
But when he rose to 60 he made .
desperate effort and begged her to ga,
'good-by' in the old way. She flush
ed in such q dainty way, he thought